Cairns Regional Council Advances Infrastructure Projects to Strengthen Local Services

Cairns Regional Council has awarded a $325.5 million design and construction contract to John Holland Qld for Cairns Water Security Stage 1, the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the council, using intakes from the Mulgrave River and Behana Creek to deliver a new drinking water supply.

Water Security Project

This project forms a core part of council decisions to secure drinking water for the region. The contract covers design and construction elements that directly support local water services and long-term supply reliability for residents and businesses.

Road Network Improvements

The $535 million Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Stage 3 project from Edmonton to Gordonvale is nearing completion, with the Australian Government contributing $428 million. Separately, the $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication will create a four-lane dual carriageway between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway, including rail overpass and bridge duplications. The $287.2 million Captain Cook Highway Upgrade from Cairns CBD to Smithfield remains in planning, with early works expected to complete by late 2025.

Hospital Expansion Works

Cairns Hospital Expansion Project Tranche 1 is delivering 64 additional beds at a cost of $171 million, with early refurbishment works underway. The new 53-bed Mental Health Inpatient Service building opened in February 2025, directly expanding local health services through these funded upgrades.

These projects reflect council and government decisions to allocate funding toward water supply, road capacity and hospital capacity. The water security contract stands as the single largest commitment by Cairns Regional Council to date, while the road projects target specific corridors including the Bruce Highway and Captain Cook Highway. Hospital works add measurable bed numbers and a dedicated mental health facility that opened earlier this year.

Implementation continues through the awarded contracts and staged works already underway or in planning. Local services will see incremental changes as each project reaches its respective milestones, with council oversight guiding the water component and Australian Government contributions supporting the road and health elements listed in the verified project details.